Footage of Subaru’s Isle of TT record
Words: AutoTrader NZ
The highlight of the action-packed video comes when Higgins describes the near-miss that happened on his second run. Due to the extra weight of having a passenger, Higgins has a hairy moment at Brey Hill when the WRX STI begins to comes loose from the pavement.
As Higgins explains: “On our second practice I had the biggest ‘moment’ of my career. We had a passenger on the run and so coming into Bray Hill at more than 150 MPH (241 km/h), the extra weight compressed the suspension more than on previous runs and shifted the Subaru to the left and then right as I corrected–it was a real tank slapper. The whole thing went by so quickly that we never slowed below 177km/h, and then we were back on the power. It was amazing and the helicopter shots really show just how hairy it really was.”
The WRX STI was a production US spec car running a standard 305hp turbocharged boxer engine. Some safety modifications were made. The Subaru was equipped with a Lifeline fire suppression system, Hockley Motorsports roll cage, motordrive competition seats, Mintex brake pads (but stock calipers and rotors), and a louder open exhaust to warn spectators of the on-coming car. The speed limiter was turned off to allow a higher maximum speed; off-the shelf Tien springs and dampers were added to accommodate the numerous high-speed jumps on the circuit, sending the WRX STI almost four feet off the ground. The car ran on street legal Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tyres.
Check it out below…
